EPA Cites Barrett Paving For Clean-Air Violations

Proposed penalty of $26K for Ohio crushing firm.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has cited Barrett Paving Materials Inc. for alleged clean-air violations at the company's limestone quarry and crushing plant in Sylvania, Ohio. EPA proposed a $26,500 penalty.

"We're alleging that Barrett didn't do the required notifying, testing and reporting when they increased the capacity of some of their conveyor belts," said EPA Regional Administrator Thomas V. Skinner.  "Increasing conveyor belt capacity can increase dust emissions."

Skinner said failure to make required notifications and to test and report emissions violates federal standards for new air pollutant sources as well as Ohio's plan for implementing the Clean Air Act.

The company has 30 days from receipt of the complaint to file an answer and request a hearing.  It may request an informal conference with EPA at any time to discuss how to resolve the allegations.